Less than 24 hours after being toppled as Northern League leaders, Consett returned to the top spot after a 4-0 win over Penrith at Belle View Stadium.
West Auckland knocked the Steelmen off the top for the first time in two months with their 3-2 victory over Redcar Athletic last night.
But Terry Mitchell’s side, who have had a little wobble in recent games, responded with a much-improved performance against their Cumbrian visitors to reclaim their place as Division One leaders.
They went ahead after 24 minutes when Matty Slocombe threaded a pass into the path of Jermaine Metz, who crossed hard and low for James Martin to finish from close range at the back post, pictured below.

On 36 minutes their advantage was doubled when Carl Lawson’s shot from 20 yards took a touch off Colin Larkin, to take it beyond the reach of Penrith keeper Aaron Taylor.
It remained 2-0 at half-time, but Consett were grateful to keeper Kyle Hayes for two good saves early in the second half as Penrith enjoyed their best spell of the game.
Their importance was underlined on 57 minutes, when Consett made it 3-0. Martin’s long ball out of defence sent Luke Carr running through on goal, and he kept his composure to finish superbly from just inside the box.
It was a wonderful goal, but even better was to follow in the final minute, when Slocombe’s pass found substitute Callum Guy on the right, and he sent a dipping right-footed shot into the far corner, pictured top.
- Full report, match stats and more pictures HERE.